Legal Aberdeen, SD Pop. 28,324

Judge Salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota

The median judge salary in Aberdeen, SD is $124,345 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 4.5% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$124,345
vs State Avg
$-5,921
vs National
$-23,685
Cost of Living
84%

Judge Pay in Aberdeen: What to Expect (2026)

Aberdeen offers a median judge salary of $124,345, which is $5,921 below the South Dakota state average of $130,266. Compared to the national median of $148,030, Aberdeen pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Aberdeen's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $124,345 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $148,030 in an average-cost city. This makes Aberdeen an attractive option for judges seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for judges in Aberdeen spans from $48,720 at the 10th percentile to $193,200 at the 90th percentile — a $144,480 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $54,600, while senior judges with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $180,600. Aberdeen is a smaller market (pop. 28,324), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Judge Salary in Aberdeen by Experience

In Aberdeen, an entry-level judge earns around $54,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $180,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$54,600
$-10,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$126,000
$-24,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$180,600
$-34,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Aberdeen, SD

Percentile Aberdeen
10th Percentile $48,720
25th Percentile $75,600
Median (50th) $124,345
75th Percentile $163,800
90th Percentile $193,200

Judge Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$136,188
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$133,227
Pop. 74,703
Brookings, SD
$127,306
Pop. 24,194
Mitchell, SD
$121,385
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Judge in Aberdeen

Education

Most judge positions require a doctoral degree. Aberdeen and the surrounding South Dakota area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Legal InterpretationJudicial ReasoningCourt ProceduresImpartialityLegal WritingCase Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, judge employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Aberdeen may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Judge Jobs in Aberdeen

Browse open judge positions in Aberdeen, SD:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Judge Salary in Aberdeen

How much does a Judge make in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
The median judge salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota is $124,345 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $148,030. Salaries range from $48,720 (10th percentile) to $193,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Judge make per hour in Aberdeen? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $124,345, a judge in Aberdeen earns approximately $60 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Aberdeen compare to the South Dakota state average for judge pay? ▼
Aberdeen's median judge salary of $124,345 is 4.5% below the South Dakota state average of $130,266. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
Aberdeen has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a judge salary of $124,345 in Aberdeen has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a judge in Aberdeen? ▼
Most judge positions in Aberdeen require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Legal Interpretation, Judicial Reasoning, Court Procedures, Impartiality. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.